The Manufacturing Executive

Getting Out of Break-Fix Mode: Using Maintenance Data for Better Manufacturing Decisions w/ Paul Ross

So many manufacturers find themselves stuck in break-fix mode, constantly reacting to machine maintenance problems instead of staying ahead of them. If this sounds familiar, what's it costing your business, your team and your ability to plan for the future? In this episode, CMO of Limble, Paul Ross, shares insights not only from his own experiences, but also from an extensive survey of manufacturing maintenance teams, revealing eye-opening gaps between data collection and how it influences decision making. We’ll dig into why manufacturers struggle to trust their maintenance data, what that means for capital expenditures and how to break free from reactive habits. Find a link the the survey referenced in this episode, The Data Discipline Gap: Inside Limble’s 2026 Maintenance Benchmark Report, here: https://limble.com/blog/cmms-data-quality-2026-benchmark-report/

AMRs in Manufacturing Environments: Safety, Data Security and Other Considerations w/ Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich

Imagine robots moving freely alongside your team, navigating unpredictable spaces and handling tasks once reserved only for people. In this conversation, Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich of Brain Corp pull back the curtain on the role autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, can play in manufacturing environments. More specifically, they'll talk about safety considerations, data security and earning the trust of your human workforce.

Surging AI and Data Center CapEx: Are We on the Verge of a Bubble? w/ Wasif Khan

Manufacturers everywhere are doubling down on data centers and AI infrastructure, fueling a surge in investment that has many asking: are we living in a bubble, or is this the start of long-term, transformative growth? In today’s conversation, CFO and Co-Founder of viaPhoton, Wasif Khan, will share his perspective about what's really driving this wave of capital, where the risks (and opportunities) truly lie and how manufacturing leaders can navigate the inevitable swings of the market.

From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns

Why do so many manufacturers still rely on paper, spreadsheets and disconnected systems to run complex operations? And what unfolds when they step into fully integrated, data-driven environments? In this episode, President at Applied Control Engineering, Inc, Ian Burns, will answer these questions. He'll also explain how digital twins are impacting everything from operator training to faster, safer process improvements. And he'll share candid insights on the unique cybersecurity challenges facing modern manufacturers as their systems become increasingly interconnected.

Solving Labor Challenges the Simpler Way: A Fresh Look at Robotics w/ Ken Macken

Manufacturing automation isn’t what it used to be. Today, robots can be controlled from an iPad, set up with zero training and be up and running almost immediately – even in high-mix, high-variability manufacturing environments that once seemed impossible to automate. In this episode, CEO and Founder of Workr Labs, Kevin Macken, will tell you how they're eliminating traditional automation barriers – shifting the focus from complicated tech to practical workforce transformation. Ken will explain how they're empowering operators – allowing teams to adapt faster, increase capacity and focus on more valuable tasks.